11/17/74

DOCTRINE OF THE ROYAL SACRIFICES

A. Definition.

1. The royal priesthood of the believer demands priestly function in the field of sacrifice. 2. Levitical priests offered animal sacrifices on a brazen altar in front of the tabernacle.

3. The royal priesthood offers sacrifices from the altar of resident Bible doctrine in his soul.

4. Therefore, all the sacrifices of the royal priesthood come from Bible doctrine in the soul.

B. The First Sacrifice: Rebound, Rom 12:1. This is comparable to the sin and trespass offerings of Lev 4-6. 1 Jn 1:9 is the means of executing this sacrifice, which produces the filling of the Holy Spirit. This is synonymous with, “present your bodies a living sacrifice.”

C. The Second Sacrifice: The Construction of an Altar in the Soul, Heb 13:10.

1. The altar in the soul is constructed by the daily metabolization of doctrine.

2. The Levitical altar was visible; ours is invisible Bible doctrine in the soul. Even though this altar is invisible, you can see the overt result of Bible doctrine in the soul in the believer’s lifestyle. Is Bible doctrine the most important thing in his life?

3. Apart from the construction of this altar in the soul, there is no normal function in the Christian life.

4. Synonyms for the altar in the soul.

a. Tactical victory or following the colors to the high ground, Heb 12:1-2; Phil 3:12-14.

b. Putting on the full armor from God, Eph 6:11-13.

5. The rest of the sacrifices are a result of the first two sacrifices.

D. The Sacrifice of Separation, Heb 13:13. As a result of maximum Bible doctrine in the soul, the mature believer may have to separate himself from another person, family member or friend, because of his negative volition to doctrine. This is neither a legalistic act nor is it motivated by self-righteous arrogance. It is done to keep from being dragged into reversionism by those whom we love who are resisting doctrine. This must be done with a maximum amount of impersonal love.

E. The Sacrifice of Praise, Heb 13:15. This is our mental and verbal expression of personal love for Christ. We are willing to freely admit and testify to our love for Christ regardless of the cost to us.

F. The Sacrifice of Divine Good, Heb 13:16. Anything we do under the enabling power of the Holy Spirit inside the divine dynasphere and motivated by metabolized doctrine is a production of divine good. All divine good will be rewarded at the Judgment Seat of Christ.

G. The Sacrifice of Academic Discipline, Heb 13:17. The royal priest recognizes the principle of doctrine that he has his own right pastor-teacher. Recognizing that pastor’s authority and being persistent in attendance is a sacrifice. This takes maximum objectivity. (It is very hard for a family to accept their father as their pastor-teacher.) This sacrifice demands stability of soul, poise, consistency, good manners, thoughtfulness of others, and concentration.

H. The Sacrifice of Prayer, Heb 13:18.

1. Of all the functions of the priesthood, this sacrifice demands maturity. You must be a mature believer to function under this sacrifice.

2. This sacrifice demands the greatest of concentration.

3. All great prayer warriors must have maximum Bible doctrine in the soul. This sacrifice demands a lot of time.

4. The hardest work in the Christian life is prayer, Col 4:12. Prayer is self-denial work with no recognition from others.

5. Thanksgiving is the attitude of prayer. All prayer is based on the ability to be consistent in your prayer life and to concentrate.

6. Prayer takes time. Pastors don’t have enough time to be prayer warriors, so certain members of his congregation must be. _____________________________________________________________________________

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